Singapore retail sales up 2.1% in March on higher petrol station sales

SINGAPORE'S retail sales rose 2.1 per cent in March 2017 over the same month a year ago, on the back of higher sales of petrol service stations and motor vehicles.

With the motor vehicles stripped out, retail sales were up 0.7 per cent year on year, based on data released by the Department of Statistics on Friday.

Year-on-year, eight categories were up while five posted a decline. Among others, petrol service station sales jumped 11.3 per cent year on year in March while motor vehicles sales rose 6.9 per cent, watches & jewellery (7.8 per cent) and medical goods & toiletries (4.9 per cent).

Retail takings of food retailers dipped 7.9 per cent, computer & telecommunications equipment declined 5.2 per cent and mini-marts & convenience stores sales were down 5 per cent.

When compared to the previous month, total retail sales in March slipped a marginal 0.3 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis. Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales edged down 0.2 per cent.

Total retail takings in March 2017 were estimated at S$3.7 billion, higher than the S$3.6 billion in the year-ago month.